On November 11, 2020 world’s most modern corvette “INS Magen” was officially handed over by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to the Israeli Navy. In May 2019, the “INS Magen” was named in Kiel. The other three ships are planned for delivery subsequently in intervals of a few months. This marks another important milestone in the ongoing program of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems as General Contractor to build four next-generation SA’AR-6 class missile corvettes for the Israeli Navy. Following the very strict corona prevention measures at the shipyard, the handover took place in Kiel. All four vessels will be constructed in Germany in a joint project by German Naval Yards Holdings and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
Dr. Rolf Wirtz, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems: “This program is based on an open and trusting dialogue with our customer. I would like to thank Israel for the confidence it has shown in us. We are very proud to be contributing to Israel’s security. I would also like to thank our employees: Despite challenging circumstances, they have achieved something great with tremendous care and discipline! Together, we stay focused on our way to becoming the most modern naval company in Europe.”
The ships have the stealthy design of a low-signature missile corvette with tailor-made solutions and numerous new technologies onboard. The contract for the delivery of four SA’AR 6 corvettes – performed by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (Lead) and project partner German Naval Yards – was signed in May 2015. After the design phase, the construction phase started with the steel cutting ceremony of the first-of-class in February 2018. Only 15 months after the first steel cut, the ship was undocked, fulfilling its very ambitious schedule. The ships’ design will be loosely based on the German Braunschweig-class corvette.
The Sa’ar 6 has a displacement of almost 1,900 tons at full load and is 90 m (295 ft 3 in) long. Elbit Systems has been awarded the contract to design and build the Electronic Warfare (EW) suites for the ships.It is armed with an Oto Melara 76 mm main gun, two Typhoon Weapon Stations, 32 vertical launch cells for Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, 20 cells for the C-Dome point defense system, 16 anti-ship missiles (likely Gabriel 5), the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR AESA radar, and two 324 mm torpedo launchers. It has hangar space and a platform able to accommodate a medium class SH-60-type helicopter.
